Developer: Konami/Backbone Ent.
Publisher: Konami
Platforms: XBLA/PSN
Price: $10/800 Allards
1992 brought about some memorable releases and events: L.A. riots, Windows 3.1, nicotine patches, Wayne’s World, Basic Instinct, Bill Clinton’s presidency and many more. Despite my diligent research of notable events in 1992 none of them included the release of the X-men Arcade game. This, up to 4 or 6 player, arcade game gave gamers the ability to punch and kick robots, lizard men, bees and members of the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants(Pyro, Blob, The White Queen, Mystique, Wendigo, Nimrod and Magneto) through 7 action-packed levels. But more importantly you have the choice to control your favorite X-men including Nightcrawler(my fav), Colossus, Storm, Cyclops, Wolverine and roller-skating-disco-loving fan favorite Dazzler.
Being an almost 20 year old side-scrolling beat ‘em up arcade game makes X-men Arcade incredibly simplistic. Which is not a bad thing. It is a faithful arcade port that allows up to 6 player couch coop(PS3 only, 4 player for 360) in addition to online play. Backbone even included the Japanese ROM so you can play a slightly different version of the game. The most significant difference I recall was the occasional health power up that appeared when some enemies were defeated. Which is nice because grabbing it gets you an achievement or a trophy. One relic of older arcade beat ‘em ups that still annoys me is the health penalty for using your character’s special move. I am grateful that developers have since replaced that punishment with a meter or some other less frustrating risk/reward implementation. That issue is somewhat negated by the unlimited continues which really does not bother me. But I know that will be a huge sticking point for some gamers.
X-men Arcade game is a fun walk down memory lane but may not impress younger or unfamiliar gamers who have played games like Castle Crashers or Scott Pilgrim. It’s pretty short and mindless. Nevertheless walking to the right while punching creatures and robots in their faces is still fun, especially with other people.
Ups
Faithful arcade port
Numerous display options
Includes Japanese ROM
Fun couch coop
Online play
Downs
Incredibly simple, unlimited continues may turn off some players
Very brief
TMNT arcade game was 400 MS points 2-3 years ago, what gives?
Bottom Line
Whether you played it back in the day or if it’s brand new, give the trial a couple of minutes and see that a faithful, albeit brief , stroll down memory lane is likely worth your $10.
Full Disclosure
GameEnthus.com received review code for the 360 version of the X-men Arcade Game
